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Virginia Speak Up: Family Survey

Questions marked with a * are required

1.Select the grade(s) of your child(ren) in school this year. Check all that apply for your family.

Preschool - Kindergarten - Grade 1 - Grade 2

Grade 3 - Grade 4 - Grade 5

Grade 6 - Grade 7 - Grade 8 - Grade 9 - Grade 10 - Grade 11 - Grade 12

2.Which of these mobile devices does your child(ren) have for their own personal use? Check all that apply.

	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)
Smartphone with Internet	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

Laptop	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

Chromebook	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

Tablet	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

Digital reader	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

Smartwatch	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

None	Preschooler-2nd grader(s)	3-5 grader(s)	6-12 grader(s)

3.How does your child get online to do homework or schoolwork? Check all that apply.

I provide my child with access to the Internet at home through a plan with an Internet provider.

I provide my child with access to the Internet at home through a data plan (mobile phone or hotspot).

My child's school has provided us with a mobile hotspot for Internet access at home.

Community resources have provided us with a mobile hotspot to provide Internet access at our home.

My child generally accesses the Internet for homework or schoolwork at another location such as a library or community center.

My child generally does not have access to the Internet when they are outside of school.

Other

4.Have you had a personal experience with taking a virtual course where all instruction is provided through a computer and Internet connection? Check all that apply.

Yes - through my work or job.

Yes - on my own to learn new skills.

Yes - to explore a personal interest or hobby.

Yes - as part of school, college or academic program.

Yes - for compliance such as online traffic school.

No – I have no personal experience with taking a virtual course.

5.Did your child take a virtual course this year as part of their school day or online at home?

Yes, my child(ren) took one virtual course during a class period at school.

Yes, my child(ren) took one virtual course online from home.

Yes, my child(ren) took multiple virtual courses during class periods at school.

Yes, my child(ren) took multiple virtual courses online from home.

Yes, my child(ren) was enrolled in a virtual academy this year and took all of their courses online from home.

No, my child(ren) did not take any virtual courses.

6.Would you like your child to take a virtual course as part of their school day or online at home?

Yes

Not sure

7.What do you think are the potential benefits or positives for students taking virtual courses? Check all that apply.

Can learn at their own pace.

Develop technology skills.

Easier to collaborate with classmates on projects using online tools.

Easier to review class materials when needed.

Learn skills needed for college or the workplace.

Learn to be more responsible for their own learning.

Learning is more interactive and engaging.

Less health concerns.

Less school drama.

More comfortable participating in online discussions than in a physical classroom.

More comfortable to ask teachers questions.

More individualized teacher-student communications.

School is less academically stressful.

School is less socially stressful.

Teachers provide more personalized attention.

Other

8.What do you think are the potential challenges for students taking virtual courses? Check all that apply.

Does not fit how some students learn best.

Harder to do collaborative projects with classmates.

Have too much responsibility for their own learning.

Lack of teacher support when needed.

Learning is less interactive and engaging.

Miss school routines.

Miss social aspects of school.

Need to be well organized.

Virtual school is more academically stressful.

Virtual school workload is more challenging.

Teachers are not effectively teaching in a virtual setting.

Technology access problems.

Too much screen time.

Worry about quality of the learning experience.

Other

9.Which of these statements is most true for you?

I think my child learns best in a physical classroom setting with their teacher and classmates.

I think my child learns best in a virtual classroom setting with their teacher and classmates.

I think my child learns best when they can spend some time in a physical classroom setting and spend some time in a virtual classroom setting.

10.Agree or disagree: When technology is used effectively and appropriately in school, it has a positive impact on my child’s learning potential and success.

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Neutral

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

11.

What do you think are the benefits of effective technology use in school as part of your child's learning experience? Check FIVE that benefit your child most.

As a result of using technology tools for learning purposes, my child is…

Achieving at higher proficiency levels measured by grades and test scores.

Applying knowledge to practical problems.

Collaborating with other students more.

Communicating with his/her teacher more often.

Completing more homework assignments.

Demonstrating a better understanding of the class material.

Developing creativity skills.

Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Directing their own learning.

Enjoying learning more.

Learning at their own pace.

Learning in a way that fits their learning style.

Showing greater engagement or interest in learning.

Taking greater responsibility for their learning.

Using time at home for extended learning.

Other

12.What are the primary challenges or obstacles your child faces when using technology in school? Check all that apply.

Class or school websites, portals or social media accounts are not updated regularly.

Concern about the privacy of my child’s personal school records.

Internet access is slow or limited at the school.

My child does not have regular access to high quality digital tools and resources to support their learning in school.

My child is not allowed to use their own devices or digital tools when in school.

My child is not allowed to take home their school-owned tablet, laptop or Chromebook.

School administrators are not monitoring student use for bad behaviors.

Students are not learning Internet safety and digital citizenship skills.

Teachers don’t know how to use technology effectively within instruction.

Technology should be used more to personalize learning for each student.

Technology use varies too much from teacher to teacher.

Too many rules against using technology in school.

Too much of class time is spent using technology.

Other

13.Digital citizenship has been defined as the set of norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use. Which of these digital citizenship topics have you discussed with your child? Share how frequently by ranking each topic below.

	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never
Appreciating that everyone has digital rights	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Being an informed consumer	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Being aware that companies profit from increasing the time users spend online	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Being empathetic and kind online	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Being safe with others online	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Identifying the risks and potential consequences of content with explicit themes	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Maintaining privacy from corporations (preventing data tracking, reading privacy policies)	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Managing technology use (media balance)	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Participating in online public forums including social media	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Protecting personal and private information online	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never
Responding to cyberbullying	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Understanding algorithms and how they affect everyday experiences (e.g. search results)	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Understanding how bias and unequal access to technology impact society	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Understanding how technology features are designed to increase time spent online (e.g. nudges, notifications, autoplay)	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Understanding laws that apply to digital tools (e.g. privacy, sharing graphic content, copyright)	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Using digital communication tools with audience in mind	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

Using technology to learn new things	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	A few times a year	Rarely/Never

14.Which of these do you think is most important for your child to develop? Check the FIVE most important that apply.

Ability to identify information sources and how to locate them.

Ability to evaluate the credibility of online resources.

Ability to evaluate their own work or writing.

Ability to organize information.

Know how to analyze and interpret stories, commercials, and the media.

Know how to detect bias, censorship, or propaganda in resources (including media).

Know how to prepare written or verbal reports of research.

Know how to create multi-media presentations such as videos.

Know how to summarize research.

Know how to use technology and digital content responsibly.

Other

15.Do you agree or disagree with these statements?

	Agree	Disagree	Not sure
I am very comfortable helping my child(ren) with schoolwork when it involves using online tools and resources.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

I am very comfortable teaching my child(ren) good digital citizenship behaviors and strategies.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

Technology is used effectively in my child’s class(es) to provide appropriate and valuable learning experiences for my child.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

I think it would be beneficial for my child to have more online learning experiences to prepare them for future college or work experiences.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

My child communicates more with their teacher(s) now because of technology use in school.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

My child uses an appropriate level of technology in school.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

I am satisfied with the digital citizenship training provided to my child at school.	Agree	Disagree	Not sure

16.Thinking about communication with your child’s teacher(s) specifically, which of the following are your top FIVE choices for those communications?

Automated phone messages

District mobile app

Face-to-face meetings

General email blasts

Messaging app with conversation capabilities

Online meetings

Online newsletters/flyers

Personal email

Personal phone call

School portals with a password for access

Social media posts

Text message to your smartphone

Website updates

17.What is the most effective way for your child’s school and/or division to communicate different types of information to you? Check FIVE that apply.

Automated phone messages

District mobile app

Face-to-face meetings

General email blasts

Messaging app with conversation capabilities

Online meetings

Online newsletters/flyers

Personal email

Personal phone call

School portals with a password for access

Social media posts

Text message to your smartphone

Website updates

18.Imagine you are in charge of building a new school. Which of these learning tools or approaches would you include in that new school? Select the ones that you think will help students be the most successful with their learning.

Chromebook, laptop or tablet for every student.

Coding or computer programming resources.

Collaboration tools to use in projects.

Digital, video or online games.

Fully online classes.

Online animations, simulations or virtual labs.

Online databases for research projects.

Online textbooks or curriculum.

Online tutors.

Online videos and movies.

Project-based learning experiences that address real world issues.

Teachers assigned as mentors for every student.

Tools to facilitate student- teacher communications.

Tools to help students create media projects (e.g. video, audio).

Virtual reality experiences and hardware (headsets and devices).

Virtual voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa or Google.

Other

19.What is ONE THING schools can do to improve so that all students have better technology-related learning experiences?